Projectile target game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A projectile target game apparatus in which the object is to toss a projectile preferably one having a weighted forward end and a rearwardly extending grasping stick portion into the open face of a box-like enclosure having a lower target wall and a centrally disposed target disposed therein. The portions of the target wall surrounding the opening are provided with a resilient material or itself is resilient such that the incoming projectiles striking such surface will be rebounded therefrom to a position either against the upwardly extending walls or outwardly of the enclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to amusement devices especially those in which projectile objects are aimed at a target.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Portable game apparatus in which a target and a number of projectiles destined to be tossed or otherwise projected through an opening in the target are well known and include games of general amusement as well as those specifically adapted for training for particular sports such as baseball, hockey and the like. In the latter category, U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,616 to Murphy; U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,485 to Macosko and U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,115 to McLain are representative thereof. In the former category, U.S. Pat. No. 2,126,245 to Darby; U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,891 to Nelson and U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,041 to Kettelson are representative.

[0003] The present invention is directed primarily to the first type of game format that is played primarily for pleasure but incorporates features which to some extent increase the complexity as well as assuring visual feedback of the projectile as it passes through the target as well as additionally introducing elements of random risks so as to achieve an overall game result believed to be substantially superior than those of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is, accordingly, the primary object of the present invention to achieve the aforementioned indicated results in a projectile target game apparatus of the type described by including a target and at least one projectile, said target including a target enclosure having a floor in turn defining a downwardly recessed bottom target wall with a generally centrally disposed target opening therethrough, side walls extending upwardly from the periphery of said target wall to form said target enclosure and said side walls in turn terminating in a forward peripheral edge defining a forward entrance to said enclosure for receipt of said projectile adapted to be tossed from a position remote from the target enclosure into said enclosure and through said downwardly recessed target opening to a position outside said enclosure, said target wall having a resilient upper surface surrounding said target opening such that a tossed projectile striking such surface rather than cleanly passing through the target opening will tend to bounce back upwardly against the walls of said enclosure.

[0005] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall setup for the manner in which the present game may be played on a lawn or other surfaces setting forth suggested positioning of the target or targets;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a plan view of one such target;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the target shown in FIG. 2 indicating the manner in which projectiles can be directed towards the target and pass therethrough to land in the approximate area thereof in such a manner to score points in accordance with the various game rules that may be devised;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0011]FIG. 4a is an enlarged view of a portion of the target shown in FIG. 4 showing alternate material surrounding the target opening;

[0012]FIG. 4b is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4a but showing a further alternative in which the area surrounding the target opening is of a still further alternative material such as stretched netting; and

[0013]FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 3 and 4 thereof, the overall structure of the target and projectiles is depicted. The target 10 includes an enclosure 12 of a general box-like or milk crate configuration, that is, a plurality of upstanding side walls 14 terminating in a peripheral edge 16 that in turn defines a front or forward opening 18 in which the projectiles 20 may be tossed. The lower portion of the target is defined by a target wall 22 having a target opening 24 generally centrally disposed thereof. The target opening 24 is of an extent such that the projectile may easily pass therethrough if properly directed by the game player to a rearward position outside of the enclosure by reason of the tilted or elevated target wall 22. Such elevated position of the wall 22 is by any convenient means such as the stand or frame 26 depicted. Such forward tilt of the enclosure and the opening 18 thereof towards the playing field not only positions the target so that it may be visually perceived from a distance but also enables the projectiles that pass cleanly through the target opening 24 to then be positioned behind the target wall such that players may easily determine whether a projectile passed through the target opening as intended or simply missed the enclosure altogether and came to rest either laterally in one of the sides or in front thereof. The frame can further be enclosed as by netting 27 (partially shown) such that the projectiles passing through the target opening are contained thereby thus making a visual observation of which projectiles passed through the opening more determinative. The difficulty of the game can be increased or decreased by the relative sizes of the target opening and the diameter (assuming a circular cross-section) of the front portion of the projectile as is desired. The complexity of the game is increased by providing a target wall 22 with resiliency such that projectiles that enter the enclosure but do not go cleanly through the target opening will strike the target wall 22 and bounce upwardly either against the interior surfaces of the side walls 14 or completely outside of the enclosure. In this respect, it should be pointed out that the projectile includes a weighted front portion with a forward nose portion which also may be made constructed from a resilient material such as rubber and a feathered rear portion 34 much like a Badminton game shuttlecock to impart flight stability of the projectile when it is thrown. In addition to the front portion 30, the projectile 20 includes a longitudinally rearwardly grasping or handle portion in the form of a rod or stick 36. The length of the handle should be substantially less than the side walls 14 for a purpose that will hereinafter be apparent.

[0015] In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface target wall 22 is provided with a material such as wood, fiber or dense carpeting that when struck by the projectile will supply a moderate amount of resiliency or bounce thereto but may instead be provided with an elastomeric material such as rubber or the like as shown in FIG. 4a or even a fabric or other netting material stretched taut across the bottom as shown in FIG. 4b. Either of the alternatives shown in FIGS. 4a or 4 b provide even further resiliency or bounce to the incoming projectile such that they would necessarily have to pass cleanly through the target opening or be subject to a marked rebound either against the side walls 14 or outwardly from the forward opening 18 of the enclosure. It is also intended that the resilient material may in itself form the target wall 22. It is also desirable that the side walls be of open lattice work configuration as depicted, that is, including a plurality of vertical and lateral webs 40 and 42 respectively, which define a plurality of openings 44 therebetween. In this manner then when a projectile is tossed into the enclosure and strikes the target wall 22, there is a heightened chance that the rebound thereof will force the rear end of the projectile into one of such openings 44 so as to contain the projectile therein and appropriate scoring may be calculated dependent upon whether the projectile passes cleanly through the target opening, hits the target wall 22 and remains inside the enclosure or completely misses the enclosure or is rejected, that is, bounced back outwardly thereof, and comes to rest in a space adjacent thereto. Additionally, a semi-circular or other configured plastic hoop or marker 50 may be laid on the ground and may be conveniently provided with prongs 52 so as to position the marker in the ground to delineate a further scoring circle or area depending upon the game rules. Additionally, while the projectile configuration as depicted is desirable, the projectile may also take the form of a ball or other type dart configurations bearing in mind that if the interaction complexity of the side wall openings vis-à-vis the projectile is desired, then the openings must be of such a size to prevent the projectile from passing entirely therethrough. The following are suggested game rules and regulations to determine game scoring; however, it should be pointed out that these are suggestions and that the configuration and relative dimensioning of the target and projectiles vis-à-vis each other determines the uniqueness and high play value of the disclosed device.

SUGGESTED GAME RULES

[0016] PLAYERS: Two or four.

[0017] OBJECT: To outpoint your opponent by getting your darts through the center hole of the basket, into the basket, or as close as possible to the basket within the outlined zone.

[0018] EQUIPMENT: Two baskets, four darts, two rubber hose zone markers, two inlaid carpet pads and six spikes.

[0019] SPACE REQUIREMENTS: Thirty to forty feet of unobstructed flat ground (preferably grassy).

[0020] PLAYER POSITIONING: In head to head play, you may both start at the same end, shoot and switch to the other end or you may start at opposite ends, shoot and switch to the other end or constantly remain at one end. In team play, each basket must have an opposing team player there at all times to shoot against your partner. In afternoon play, basket positioning can be crucial with respect to sun and wind.

[0021] STARTING: This may be decided by coin toss or any other method you desire. After the first round of shots, the leading point getter (person or team) will always shoot first. In the case of a tie, the last leading point getter will shoot first.

[0022] SCORING: The first person or tem to reach a total of twenty-one points wins.

[0023] Scoring is as follows: Through the center hole 5 points Inside the basket 2 points Outside the basket (within 1 point zone marker

[0024] NULLIFIERS: If your opponent lands in the one point zone and you land in the one point zone, they nullify each other-no points. If your opponent lands in the one point zone and you land in the basket for two points, then all points count. Points must match in order to nullify. A one nullifies a one only. A two nullifies a two only. A five nullifies a five only.

[0025] TOTAL POINTS: You must reach 21 points to win. If you exceed 21 on your first or second dart, then no points count and you go back to what your score was before shooting. You must reach 21 points exactly-no more, no less.

[0026] FINAL POINT: If a person or team reaches 20, you will be given only one dart to make final point. You cannot shoot two darts and make a choice-you will be given only one dart.

[0027] FINAL SHOT: There must always be the availability of a final shot by the opposition. If you shoot first and make 21, then the opposition has the right of a final shot (or shots if under twenty) to nullify and possibly win.

[0028] TIES: In the event of a tie, a coin toss may be used to decide who will shoot first. Nullifiers and matching point rules remain in effect and the first unchallenged point wins. In the case of teams, each team will decide which partner will play throughout the tie process. In the tie game process, one dart per opponent will be used.

[0029] While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying this invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A target game including a target and at least one projectile, said target including a target enclosure having a floor in turn defining a downwardly recessed bottom target wall with a generally centrally disposed target opening therethrough, side walls extending upwardly from the periphery of said target wall to form said target enclosure and said side walls in turn terminating in a forward peripheral edge defining a forward entrance to said enclosure for receipt of said projectile adapted to be tossed from a position remote from the target enclosure into said enclosure and through said downwardly recessed target opening to a position outside said enclosure, said target wall having a resilient upper surface surrounding said target opening such that a tossed projectile striking such surface rather than cleanly passing through the target opening will tend to bounce back upwardly against the walls of said enclosure.
 2. The target game of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said target floor is a dense elastomeric material.
 3. The target game of claim 1 wherein the target floor is comprised of a fabric mesh material.
 4. The target game of claim 1 wherein said enclosure walls each includes a plurality of openings therethrough.
 5. The target game of claim 4 wherein the projectile is of the type having a weighted forward portion from which a grasping handle longitudinally extends, the length of the handle being less that the height of the enclosure walls.
 6. The target game of claim 5, wherein the openings in said enclosure side walls are of an extent less than the size of the weighted forward portion of the projectile such that projectiles striking the upper surface of the target wall will rebound therefrom so as to enable portions of the handle portion thereof to extend through one of said enclosure wall openings but not permit the entire projectile to pass therethrough. 